Comprehensive reference list of A.A. history sites and resources used by A.A. historian Dick B.

A Manual for Alcoholics Anonymous From AA Group No. 1, Akron, Ohio, 1940 - Dr. Bob's Home Group

Development of spiritual aspects of the A.A. program. Consists of articles and resource material formatted for easy printing.

A discussion group for those interested in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. (Was replaced by AA History Lovers.)

A collection of articles by historian and archivist Mitchell K. on the history of Alcoholics Anonymous.

A discussion group for those interested in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Replaced the earlier History Buffs group.

Complete text of several articles in general circulation magazines. From the History Lovers archive. ["Next" "Previous" scrolls more]

Complete text of several articles in religious magazines. From the History Lovers archive. ["Next" "Previous" scrolls more]

One writer's view of the Twelve Steps and their relation to Holy Bible passages in James, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13.

Trace the history of Alcoholics Anonymous through the news and views of members over the years. "AA Grapevine" magazine article since the first issue. [Subscription]

Collection of articles 1944-48 about activities of groups as they formed. Complete Grapevine text. From the History Lovers archives.

A sober web site for recovering alcoholics. Questions and answers on AA History and other fun for members of Alcoholics Anonymous and their friends.

Scores of articles, letters, and pictures about the development of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The September 1939 Liberty Magazine article on Alcoholics Anonymous. First national coverage of AA.

September 1939 Liberty magazine had the first major article about Alcoholics Anonymous after publication of the Big Book. Includes the magazine cover.

The Birth of A.A. and its growth in U.S. and Canada. By the AA General Service Office.

Brief history of how AA came to Bristol, England, and spread from there.

Article from book "The Temperance Reform and its Great Reformers." The Washingtonians was an early predecessor of AA which faded away.

A collection of articles and letters relating to the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Articles about important figures in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Some Oxford Group material. Links to pages with some audio clips.

"First printed in September 1944" according to the first page. Steps are broken into four discussion topics. Also known as The Detroit Pamphlet. (PDF requires Acrobat Reader)

Offers a video biography of Sister Ignatia who provided medical care for many early members of Alcoholics Anonymous.

A history of Alcoholics Anonymous beginning's from 1925 to 1955

A collection of newspaper and magazine articles important to the growth of Alcoholics Anonymous. More history from old letters, brochures, and pamphlets. Compiled by the West Baltimore Group.

Tells of the start and growth of Alcoholics Anonymous in Australia (1942 thru 1999).

This early draft of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous was written before the manuscript that was distributed for review.

New York Times News Service article on the passing of A.A. co-founder Bill W on Sunday, January 24, 1971.

Excerpt from "Bill W." by Robert Thomsen summarizes the influence of the Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder.

This early draft of Bill's Story differed substantially from the final version that appeared in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The short biographies of the various authors of the stories in the back of the book - Alcoholics Anonymous.

The authors suggest that AA did not originate in Christianity since it has never required members to believe in Christ crucified.

What happened to the triangle in the circle? History of why this symbol was removed from Alcoholics Anonymous publications in 1993.

A biography of the man who started AA in Cleveland, Ohio. This was the first group to be called Alcoholics Anonymous.

Articles on the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Includes magazines and other resources that were important in the origins of AA.

Esther E. ("A Flower of the South") introduced AA to Dallas in 1943. Includes an interview with oldtimer Searcy W.

This prolific writer focuses on the Christian and Bible influences on early Alcoholics Anonymous. Several articles here. Links to other sites with even more.

Dr. Harry M. Tiebout, a psychiatrist, was an early supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous. These papers are an important part of A.A. history.

Dr. William (Silky) Silkworth was a key figure in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. This is a collection of articles by and about him.

The collection of correspondence, meeting notes and books of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Dr. Robert H. Smith has been acquired by Brown University and will be made available to researchers interested in the origins of 12-step recovery programs.

Preface to "For Drunks Only" gives history of that book as well as the popular "Twenty-Four Hours a Day" meditation book.

This 1976 article from "24 Magazine" argues that weak A.A. is squeezing out strong A.A. practices.

A photographic journey through the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Founders, friends, and memorabilia.

About the people who first brought Alcoholics Anonymous to Ireland.

Traces the history of the first groups. Includes text of local newspaper articles during that time.

Starts with Maryland native Sam Shoemaker a pre-founder of AA. Follows others who brought the fellowship to Maryland and the development of early groups there.

The story of Clarence S and the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, Ohio. Complete text available free on-line. His was "Home Brewmeister" story in the Big Book.

Some ideas in early AA came from "I Was a Pagan" by Victor Kitchen, an Oxford Group member. Complete text in PDF format.

International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous. Presently limited to the location of their conventions 1958 to present.

An AA Grapevine article from 1967 by Lois W. A bit of Alcoholics Anonymous history including how Al-Anon was started.

AA's internet archivist has created a photographic journey through the history of Alcoholics Anonymous.

How AA developed from the first intergroup in Chicago to what NIA is doing now. By Area 20 of Alcoholics Anonymous. (PDF requires Acrobat Reader)

A book about the Christian techniques of early A.A.'s Fellowship as reported by A.A. Trustee Frank Amos

Text of "How It Works" chapter as it was in the draft manuscript.

Thirteen complete Oxford Group pamphlets. Most of AA spiritual principals were drawn from this group's writings.

An anterwoven web of the people mentioned in Alcoholics Anonymous literature, who they are and how they fit in

A collection from the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous with a few more recent pictures.

Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper articles on Alcoholics Anonymous. Elrick Davis, 1939. Took AA beyond mere word of mouth.

This is the first printed draft of the Big Book which was mailed to various individuals for their comments and also as a fund raising tool.

Several articles about Alcoholics Anonymous history collected by the Midland (Michigan) Intergroup.

Rowland Hazard met briefly with Carl Jung but sobered through the Emmanual Movement and then the Oxford Groups. Review and excerpt of "The Road to Fellowship: The Role of the Emmanuel Movement and the Jacoby Club in the Development of Alcoholics Anonymous" by Richard Dubiel.

Interview with early Texas AA member who was 54+ years sober at the time.

Offers a book on "My Alcoholism Recovery since 1946" and a history of how early A.A. groups started.

"A Spiritual Awakening." Features authors and archivests who are very familiar with the early years of AA. February 20-22, 2004 in Phoenix, AZ.

Articles, pictures, and links about the history of AA.

Article traces the origin of the sobriety anniversary medallion to 1973 and a small mint named Wendell's.

Photos of some early tokens marking various periods of sobriety in AA. These led to the chips that some groups still use today.

Some ideas in early AA came from "Soul Surgery" by Howard Walker, an Oxford Group member. Complete text in PDF format.

"A.A. Sponsorship... Its Obligations and Its Responsibilities" by Clarence S. was first published by Cleveland Central Office. (PDF requires Acrobat Reader)

Alcoholics Anonymous still works for alcoholics who want to stop drinking and who really try. Numbers look different because early AA prescreened candidates. Examples.

Obituary and funeral card of the daughter of Doctor Bob, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. February 15, 1918 to February 9, 2002.

A report by someone who attended the tenth anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cuba.

This site is Tennessee State Archives of Alcoholics Anonymous in Area 64. The main purpose is to carry the message to the still suffering Alcoholic.

Historic pamphlet given to newcomers in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Conclusion of historic pamphlet given to newcomers in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous.

A 1951 article by Sister Ignatia about how she and Dr Bob and other A.A. members worked together at St Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio. One ward was dedicated to the work of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Articles about and talks by Bill W and Doctor Bob S. Includes memorial service talk by Bill in memory of Bob. Some recordings available in Real Audio.

This 1931 book by Richard Peabody was influential in the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. Complete text is available as a PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file.

"An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps" is a historic pamphlet used in early Alcoholics Anonymous. Steps are arranged in four topics of Admission, Spiritual Phase, Inventory and Restitution, and Active Work.

Traces AA to the 1906 Emmanuel Movement of Boston. Spirituality and lay psychotherapy helped alcoholics. Courtenay Baylor became Rowland Hazard's therapist in 1933. Hazard worked with Ebby Thatcher and Ebby gave it to Bill Wilson who then became co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

These people were A.A. members when Bill and Bob "counted noses" in 1937. [PDF file]

"Alcoholics Anonymous" by Jack Alexander, Saturday Evening Post, March 1, 1941. This resulted in a major growth of AA.

Letter from AA co-founder Bill W about the custom of using this prayer to close an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

Many spiritual principles of Alcoholics Anonymous came from the Oxford Groups, an early 20th century religious movement. This article traces that part of AA history.

An article about the Oxford Group and its influence in the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Focuses on events from 1908 through the founding of AA in 1935.

Summary of Dick B's writings on the Oxford Groups as related to AA as of 2002.

A 1992 article from "Box 4-5-9" on the origins of the Serenity Prayer and how it came to Alcoholics Anonymous.

The Serenity Prayer is often attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr. This article in "Respectfully Quoted" traces it to 14th England and 18th century Germany.

Provides resources on the subject of alcoholism and recovery, especially AA history and the Big Book "Alcoholics Anonymous."

Examples of prayers in use prior to publication of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

In 1938, a future founder of Alcoholics Anonymous read "Varieties of Religious Experience" by philosopher and psychologist William James. Some of these ideas were important in the history of A.A. principles. Complete text.

Traces the Twelve Steps of AA from 19th century revivalists through the Oxford Groups and Alcoholics Anonymous to multiple views of today.

Traces alcoholism and the development of Alcoholics Anonymous. Names and dates including the origin of many of the Big Book stories. [Requires Acrobat Reader]

Photograph of the tombstone which is quoted on Page 1 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Several articles about AA and the Twelve Steps collected by Serenity Found.

Some ideas of early AA came from "What is the Oxford Group? by The Layman With a Notebook, an anonymous Oxford Group member. Complete text in PDF format.

"Varieties of Religious Experience" by William James was important in early history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Complete text of many of James' writings (including Varieties) along with related summaries and commentaries.

Most of the ideas and wording in the A.A. book came from other writers. An essay by archivist and historian Mitchell K.